Salgados Golf in Algarve, Faro, Portugal | Golf

Salgados begins with a short par 4, but the view from the tee stamps the character of the course firmly in one's mind. Few will forget that first view of a landing area flanked on both sides with water.
Safely past the first, the drive on the par 5 second is to a spacious landing area. The second shot to the dogleg right, however, puts the pressure on again. The fairway narrows, with on one side and out of bounds on the other. This very much sets the tone for the rest of the course.
The par 5 sixth is a memorable hole, playing to a green set behind a lake, backed by ancient olive trees and with picturesque ruins of an old building to one side.
At the par 3 twelfth, the tee shot must carry across another small lake to a sharply tiered green. A safe landing does not guarantee par if on the wrong side of the green as a most difficult putt to the flag will be left.
The par 4 eighteenth, short but with water along the right, takes one home to the clubhouse in appropriate style. The course ends with a large green welcoming the final approach shot as if in appreciation at the end of a duel with a worthy opponent.